Greece will go another season without featuring in the UEFA Champions League after PAOK suffered an extra time loss to Malmo in a thrilling contest, with their target now set on qualifying for the Europa League.
The Thessaloniki giants fell 3-4 (after extra time) to the Swedish outfit at “Toumba” Stadium on Wednesday morning (AEST), losing the tie 6-5 on aggregate and being eliminated from the Champions League qualifiers as a result.
Malmo struck first in the contest with a close-range header from winger Sebastian Nanasi (10′), though the hosts equalised soon after via a lovely free kick goal by playmaker Taison who curled the ball into the bottom right from outside the left side of the box (21′).
The reigning Greek champions then went in front after centre half Konstantinos Koulierakis released a magnificent shot from distance into the top right corner (43′)
The lead was short-lived as Nanasi found the back of the net again, this time sneaking the ball into the bottom left on the volley after a lovely cross by fellow winger Soren Rieks (45′).
PAOK restored their advantage just before the break when captain and forward Andrija Zivkovic curled the ball into the bottom left corner from just inside the box (45+3′).
The Thessaloniki side looked destined to advance, holding onto the lead until the final minute of injury time, when Malmo finally equalised in fortuitous fashion.
The Swedish side delivered a free kick in the last minute of regular time that saw PAOK scramble to clear the ball and accidentally smack the ball on centre half Nils Zatterstrom, which then deflected into the goal as a result (90+6′).
Substitute Anders Christiansen then gave Malmo the lead nine minutes into extra time after taking the ball around goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski and finishing it into an empty net in what proved to be the winning goal of the contest and tie.
The result means PAOK have bowed out of the Champions League at the third qualifying round and will now battle the winners of the Europa League tie between Celje and Shamrock Rovers in the play-off round.
APOEL similarly was eliminated from the Champions League after their 0-0 home draw with SK Slovan Bratislava ensured their 2-0 defeat on aggregate, with the club now set to face either UE Santa Coloma Andorra or RFS in the Europa League play-offs.
The remaining qualifiers for Greece and Cyprus’ clubs will play out Thursday and Friday morning, with many sides needing a win to ensure victory in their respective ties.
AEK is especially in need of an important win as they prepare to face Noah Yerevan on Friday morning in the Europa Conference League (ECL), with Enosi at risk of crashing out of Europe altogether if they do not overturn the current 3-1 deficit.
Panathinaikos will be striving for a win in Amsterdam when they face Ajax, with the Greens dreaming of a miraculous triumph to somehow advance to the Europa League play-offs.
Pafos will themselves be hoping for a success when they host FC CSKA 1948 in the second leg of their ECL tie, currently trailing 2-1, while Omonia (the only Hellenic side that won their opening leg) will be looking to hang onto their lead after travelling away to face Mol Fehervar on Thursday morning.
